Patents by Inventor Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus

Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8224056
    Abstract: A method and system for motion estimation and compensation are disclosed. Initially, a set of one or more initial images is reconstructed using acquired imaging data. Further, one or more regions of interest are identified in this set of reconstructed initial images. At least a set of filters is applied to the identified regions of interest to generate a sequence of filtered images. Particularly, each of the filtered images in the generated sequence of filtered images includes data acquired near a different reference point. Subsequently, a motion path corresponding to each region of interest is determined based on one or more correspondences in the sequence of filtered images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: General Electronic Company
    Inventors: Jed Douglas Pack, Peter Michael Edic, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Maria Iatrou, James Vradenburg Miller
  • Patent number: 8189735
    Abstract: Systems and method for reconstruction of x-ray images are provided. One method includes acquiring a plurality of image views using an x-ray imaging system, the plurality of image views defining a limited tomographic dataset. The method also includes performing three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction using the plurality of image views in an iterative reconstruction, wherein the iterative reconstruction includes forming a linear combination based on a plurality of previous iteration results. The method further includes displaying an image based on the image reconstruction, wherein the image includes clinically relevant high-frequency detail information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kedar Bhalchandra Khare, Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus
  • Publication number: 20120093383
    Abstract: A method is provided that receives existing input image data of an object where the input image includes one or more regions of interest. Reference image data of the object is acquired by an imaging system and the scanning coordinates corresponding to the reference image data are registered with the scanning coordinates of the input image. Subsequent image data of the object is acquired by the imaging system based on the one or more regions of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus
  • Publication number: 20120020448
    Abstract: Systems and method for reconstruction of x-ray images are provided. One method includes acquiring a plurality of image views using an x-ray imaging system, the plurality of image views defining a limited tomographic dataset. The method also includes performing three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction using the plurality of image views in an iterative reconstruction, wherein the iterative reconstruction includes forming a linear combination based on a plurality of previous iteration results. The method further includes displaying an image based on the image reconstruction, wherein the image includes clinically relevant high-frequency detail information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Kedar Bhalchandra Khare, Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus
  • Patent number: 8038347
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a portable litter including a structural housing and a digital detector positioned in the structural housing to detect X-ray signals corresponding to a region of interest to be imaged. The imaging system further includes at least one X-ray source for generating the X-ray signals, the at least one X-ray source positioned above the portable litter on an open gantry arrangement and configured to generate X-rays from different focal spot locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph John Manak, David Allen Langan, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus
  • Patent number: 7999236
    Abstract: Dual modality detection devices and methods are provided for detecting nuclear material, the devices include a neutron detector including multiple neutron detection modules; and a gamma detector including multiple gamma detection modules, where the multiple neutron detection modules and the multiple gamma detection modules are integrated together in a single unit to detect simultaneously both gamma rays and neutrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Mropho Detection, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bruno McDevitt, Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Scott Stephen Zelakiewicz, Joseph Bendahan
  • Patent number: 8000522
    Abstract: A technique is provided for three-dimensional imaging in a non-calibrated geometry. In one embodiment, the technique includes acquiring a plurality of projection images through an imaging volume; estimating an imaging geometry using at least one of fiducial markers or anatomical features represented in the projection images; and reconstructing a configurable volumetric representation of some or all of the imaging volume using the estimated imaging geometry, wherein the act of reconstructing accounts for one or more geometry dependent factors. In addition, a system is provided which includes a computer configured to estimate an imaging geometry using at least one of fiducial markers or anatomical features represented in a plurality of projection images acquired through an imaging volume and to reconstruct a configurable volumetric representation of some or all of the imaging volume using the estimated imaging geometry, wherein the act of reconstructing accounts for one or more geometry dependent factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus
  • Patent number: 7978886
    Abstract: A technique is provided for performing diagnosis and/or analysis of a volumetric image generated via anatomy based reconstruction. The technique includes generating a three-dimensional image by reconstructing a plurality of residual projection images from which a contribution of one or more structures of interest has been removed. The technique also includes evaluating the three-dimensional image and/or the plurality of residual projection images to generate a diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Frederick Wilson Wheeler, Mark Lewis Grabb, Cynthia Elizabeth Landberg
  • Publication number: 20110142313
    Abstract: A method and system for motion estimation and compensation are disclosed. Initially, a set of one or more initial images is reconstructed using acquired imaging data. Further, one or more regions of interest are identified in this set of reconstructed initial images. At least a set of filters is applied to the identified regions of interest to generate a sequence of filtered images. Particularly, each of the filtered images in the generated sequence of filtered images includes data acquired near a different reference point. Subsequently, a motion path corresponding to each region of interest is determined based on one or more correspondences in the sequence of filtered images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jed Douglas Pack, Peter Michael Edic, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Maria Iatrou, James Vradenburg Miller
  • Publication number: 20110142201
    Abstract: A multi-view imaging system and method is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Colin Richard Wilson, Kedar Bhalchandra Khare
  • Patent number: 7950849
    Abstract: A technique is provided for geometrical analysis and calibration of a volumetric imaging system. The technique includes computing a projection error between estimated locations of a set of markers of a phantom based on a estimated imaging geometry and observed locations of the respective markers for at least one projection image, decomposing the computed projection error into one or more error components corresponding to respective geometric parameters of the imaging geometry, and updating at least one parameter of the estimated imaging geometry based on the one or more error components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Joseph John Manak
  • Publication number: 20110102430
    Abstract: A method and system for presenting images of an object of interest is provided. The method includes producing one or more cine loops of images from at least one of multiple projection views or multiple reconstructed 3D images including a 3D volume obtained from one or more beamlines. The method also includes generating at least one combined image including a first component and a second component wherein the first component and the second component each include one of a baseline image or the one or more cine loops of images. The combined image is generated via at least one of superimposing the first component and the second component, displaying the first component adjacent to the second component, and toggling between the first component and the second component. The method also includes displaying the at least one combined image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard, Peter Michael Edic, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Robert August Kaucic
  • Patent number: 7916828
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of tomographic image construction includes performing sparsification on initial projection data for an object with a processor to provide sparsified projection data of the object. The method also includes backprojecting the sparsified projection data with the processor to provide a three-dimensional image of the object, and performing sparsification on the three-dimensional image with the processor to provide a sparsified image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kedar Bhalachandra Khare, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard
  • Publication number: 20110058724
    Abstract: The invention is a directed to an apparatus for tomosynthesis imaging, wherein the apparatus comprises an x-ray source configured to irradiate an object with a beam of x-rays and a detector configured to detect the x-ray beam that passes through the object. The apparatus further comprises a computer programmed to perform a scan, wherein the scan comprises a translation of at least one of the x-ray source and the detector along a path, an acquisition of a tomosynthesis image dataset, and a reconstruction of one or more three-dimensional (3D) volumes adapted to one or more predetermined view directions, wherein at least one of the one or more predetermined view directions is aligned outside of a central view direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus
  • Patent number: 7742796
    Abstract: A method for imaging a breast is provided. The method includes positioning a breast within a breast holder including a flexible membrane and creating at least a partial vacuum within the flexible membrane. A method of upgrading a mammography system and various configurations of breast holders are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard, Abdulrahman Abdallah Al-khalidy, Cynthia Elizabeth Landberg, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Reinhold Franz Wirth
  • Patent number: 7653263
    Abstract: A technique is provided for comparative image analysis and/or change detection using computer assisted detection and/or diagnosis (CAD) algorithms. The technique includes registering two or more images, comparing the images with one another to generate a change map, and detecting anomalies in the images based on the change map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederick Wilson Wheeler, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, John Patrick Kaufhold, Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard, Mark Lewis Grabb, Cynthia Elizabeth Landberg
  • Patent number: 7653229
    Abstract: Some configurations of method for reconstructing a volumetric image of an object include obtaining a tomosynthesis projection dataset of an object. The method also includes utilizing the tomosynthesis projection dataset and additional information about the object to minimize a selected energy function or functions to satisfy a selected set of constraints. Alternatively, constraints are applied to a reconstructed volumetric image in order to obtain an updated volumetric image. A 3D volume representative of the imaged object is thereby obtained in which each voxel is reconstructed and a correspondence indicated to a single one of the component material classes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Patrick Kaufhold, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus
  • Publication number: 20090135995
    Abstract: A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object is provided. The system includes an X-ray source adapted to irradiate the object with a beam of X-rays from a plurality of positions in a sector, an X-ray detector positioned relative to the X-ray source to detect X-rays transmitted through the object and a processor which is adapted to generate a three dimensional image of the object based on X-rays detected by the detector. The detector is adapted to move relative to the object and/or the X-ray source is adapted to irradiate the object with the beam of X-rays such that the beam of X-rays follows in a non arc shaped path and/or a center of the beam of X-rays impinges substantially on the same location on the detector from different X-ray source positions in the sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Cynthia Elizabeth Landberg, Serge Louis Wilfrid Muller, Yann Delmas, Reinhold Franz Wirth, James George Morrow
  • Patent number: 7466795
    Abstract: A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object is provided. The system includes an X-ray source adapted to irradiate the object with a beam of X-rays from a plurality of positions in a sector, an X-ray detector positioned relative to the X-ray source to detect X-rays transmitted through the object and a processor which is adapted to generate a three dimensional image of the object based on X-rays detected by the detector. The detector is adapted to move relative to the object and/or the X-ray source is adapted to irradiate the object with the beam of X-rays such that the beam of X-rays follows in a non arc shaped path and/or a center of the beam of X-rays impinges substantially on the same location on the detector from different X-ray source positions in the sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Cynthia Elizabeth Landberg, Serge Louis Wilfrid Muller, Yann Delmas, Reinhold Franz Wirth, James George Morrow
  • Publication number: 20080292217
    Abstract: A technique is provided for generating quantitative projection images from projection images. The pixels of the quantitative projection images correspond to quantitative composition estimates of two or more materials. The quantitative projection images are reconstructed to generate a quantitative volume in which each voxel value corresponds quantitatively to the two or more materials or a mixture of the two or more materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, John Patrick Kaufhold